Cutoff mechanism for automatic alimentary paste producing apparatus



Jan, l, 195% c. AMBRETTE 938,

CUTQFF MECHANISMFOR AUTOMATIC ALIMENTARY PASTE PRODUCING APPARATUS Original Filed April 17, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ammw Jam. 16, 1951 c. AMBRETTE 9 9 3 CUTOFF ME HANISM FOR AUTOMATIC ALIMENTARY ASTE PRODUCING APPARATUS Original Filed April 17, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 16, 1951 c. AMBRETTE .9 3 9 CUTOFF MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC ALIMENTARY PASTE PRODUCING APPARATUS Original Filed April 17, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet Z5 I 0 Q Q 0 Q o o 33. .53 3.3 I i 68! 66 if as 67 .78 I J19 ,..-6'/ ,6 61,. 36 J6 n. l I 5 f m B awn/WWO Jan. k6, 1951 c. AMBRETTE zfiwplw CUTOFF MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC ALIMENTARY PASTE PRODUCING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Shem 4 Original Filed April 17, 1946 sTARTmq aox 3mm flanraljzvzlrem Patented Jan. 16, 1951 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE CU'TOFF MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC ALI- MENTARY PASTE PRODUCING APPARATUS Conrad Ambrette, Brooklyn, N. Y.

4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to apparatus for producing alimentary paste products, such as spaghetti, macaroni and like forms thereof, wherein means is provided for delivering alimentary paste to and extruding it through forming die means, their cutting away the extruded paste strings from the die means and racking the same upon racking rods, and then delivering the racked strings to drier apparatus, all in an automatic continuous manner; this application being a di- Fig. 7 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the means whereby the operations of the various mechanisms of the apparatus are coordinately timed and controlled.

vision of my co-pending application Serial No.

662,699, filed April '7, 1946, and granted as Patent No. 2,481,274, dated September 6, 1949.

The instant invention has for an object to provide novel means for cutting away paste strings from a forming die means, from which the same have been extruded, subject to deposit on a racking rod. I The invention has for a further object to provide, in combination with an elongated die means, having its extrusion apertures arranged in two linear rows, an individual paste string severing or cut off mechanism for each row of extrusion die apertures, said severin or cut off mechanism being subject to coordinated alternate operation, whereby the respective rows of issue paste strings may be alternately attached from the die means, subject to being deposited on racking rods upon which the same may be delivered to and sup-v ported in drier apparatus.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time --more particularly enumerated, will be understood from the followin detailed description of the same. An illustrative embodiment of alimentary paste production apparatus according to this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus according to this invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the means for delivering and distributing alimentary paste to the elongated die means of the apparatus, said View being drawn on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the alimentary paste extrusion, cut off, racking and conveying mechanisms of the apparatus; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 4,

and in part schematically shown, the same showw ing the cut off mechanisms which are cooperative with the elongated die means of the apparatus; and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view, similar to that of Fig. 5, but showing anotherv position of a cut off mechanism.

Similar characters of reference are employed in thehereinabove described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings the reference charactor It indicates a framework by which is supported the die means, the paste string cut off means, and the paste string racking and conveyer means of the apparatus. Afiixed to the framework, at the top thereof, is an elongated extrusion die means comprising a die housing I I which is suitably constructed to provide a longitudinally disposed die chamber I2, in the bottom of which is supported a die plate I3. Said die plate I3 is provided with laterally spaced longitudinal rows of spaced die apertures I4, substantially correspending in length to the length of said die chamber I2.

Means is provided for continuously delivering plastic alimentary paste into the die chamber I2 under a constant pressure calculated to force the same outwardly from the latter through the rows of die apertures I4, whereby to extrude from said apertures linear rows of spaced alimentary paste strings, ready to be cut away from the die means and thereupon racked, as will be subsequently more fully described. Said means comprises a suitable dough Or paste mixing means I5 having a discharge head I6 in which is housed a rotatable feed screw I'I. Said feed screw I1 is adapted to continuously discharge plastic dough or paste to and through meansfor distributing the same through multiple paths to the interor of th die chamber I2 along the entire length thereof, in such manner as to uniformly fill said die chamber, and to maintain therein expressing pressure uponthe dough or paste uniformly throughout the length of the die chamber and over the entire area of the apertured die plate I3, so that strings of the dough or paste will be extruded from the die apertures I4 at uniform speed and of uniform mass and length at all points along the longitudinal rows of said apertures I4.

The novel means for distributively delivering the plastic dough or paste to the die chamber I2, and so as to exert uniform expressing pressure upon the chamber content, comprises a feeder section I8, and a succession of spreader sections connected together in end to end relation between the mixer discharge head I6 and the die housing II chamber I2 so as to simultaneously deliver the for communication with the die dough or paste into the latter along the entire length thereof. The number of spreader sections and the spreader passage branches thereof may be varied to suit the length of die means to be served. In an illustrative arrangement of the dough or paste delivering means as shown, said feeder section I8 is internally divided to provide two laterally parallel passages l9 and I9, whereby the stream of dough or paste issuing from the mixing means is separated into two moving streams of equal volume and pressure.' Connected with the discharge end of the feeder section I8 is a first spreader section 20 which diverges in width from its point of coupled connection with said feeder section. Said first spreader section is provided with pairs of diver gent dough or paste spreader passage branches leading from each feeder passage I 9 and IS. The pair of spreader passage branches leading from the feeder passage [9 comprises divergent branches 21 and 22 extending through the spreader section 20 at one side thereof, and, similarly, a pair of divergent branches 2 I and 22 leading from the feeder passage I9 is provided to extend through the opposite side of the spreader section 20. The outlet ends of said branches are substantially equi-spaced laterally along the discharge end of said spreader section 20. Since the innermost branches 2l-2l extend more in the direct line of flow of dough or paste from the feeder passages I9I 9, the same are of a somewhat smaller, cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional areas of the outermost branches 2222', thus providing comparatively greater restriction and consequent resistance to flow of dough or paste therethrough than is offered by the comparatively larger cross-sectional area of the latter. As a consequence of this, the flow of dough or paste is somewhat retarded in the branches 2 l2 I whereby to assure diversion of dough or paste for full flow through and over the somewhat greater length. of the branches 2222, and thereby to substantially eq l the.

flow pressure through, all, said. branches. Connected with the discharge ends of said first spreader section 20 isga second spreader section- 23, which also diverges. in width from its point of coupled connection with said: first spreader section. Said second spreader. section 23 is provided with pairs of divergent, dough or paste spreader passage branches leading fromv each branch 2 22-2l22 of the first. spreader section 20. The pair of branches. leading from the first spreader section branch 2 lcomprises divergent branches 24 and 25, which extend through the intermediate portion of the spreader section 23 at one side thereof, and similarly, the pair of branches leading from the first spreader section branch 2| comprises like divergent branches 24' and 25, which extend through the intermediate portion of the spreader section 23, at the opposite side thereof. The pair of branchesv leading from the first spreader section branch 22 comprises divergent branches 26 and 21, which extend through one outer side portion of the spreader section 23, and, similarly, the pair of: branches leading from the first spreader section branch 22 comprises like divergent branches 26' and. 21', which extend through the opposite, outer side portion of said spreader section 23, branches of the second spreader section 23 are therefore disposed in fanned out relation, sothat their outlet ends are substantially equi-spacedlaterally along the discharge. end of the same. As in the case of the first spreader section 20, the

Said several branches of the respective groups of branches 24252621 and 242526'21' are progressively increased in cross-sectional area from those of smallest cross-sectional area comprising the innermost branches 24-44 to those of greatest cross-sectional area comprising the outermost branches 27-41, so that restriction and resistance to flow of dough or paste therethrough is greatest with respect to said innermost branches and progressively diminishes with respect to outlying and lengthening branches, reaching a minimum with respect to the longest outermost branches, whereby to assure compensating progressive acceleration of dough or paste flow proportional to the increase of flow path length, and thus to further assure full flow of dough or paste in all branches at substantially equalized and therefore uniform pressure.

The discharge end of said second spreader section 23 is suitably coupled to the die housing ll so that its several spreader passage branches are connected respectively in communication with admission ports 28 leading into the die chamber I 2, which ports are disposed at substantially equispaced longitudinal intervals throughout the length of said die chamber I2 and the die plate. l3.

By the described novel distributive delivery of dough or paste to the interior of the die means, the incoming dough or paste exerts a constant and uniform pressure upon the dough or paste content of the die chamber l2 throughout the entire length thereof, in other Words, within the outlying end portions as well as within the intermediate portion thereof. As a consequence of this, constant extruding pressure of the dough or paste will be exerted uniformly over the entire area of the apertured die plate l3, so that the extruded paste strings will be expressed from all die apertures at uniform speed and mass through theentire lengths of the rows of die apertures l4.

Supported by framework It] beneath the die means is rack rod loading and conveyer mechanism by means of which rows of paste strings, issued from the die means, are automatically looped over drier rack rods, and thereupon delivered to drier apparatus. Mounted on the respective side members 29 of the framework I0,

within the lower part of the framework, are

laterally spaced and aligned synchronously operated paste string racking conveyers, which are, relatively spaced apart so as to permit the rows of paste strings issued from the dye means to descend between the rack rod receiving portions thereof. Each racking conveyer comprises a drive sprocket an of relatively large diameter, which is affixed On a jack shaft 3| journaled in a supporting bearing 32, which is attached to a side member 29 of the framework l0. Mounted, within the upper part of said framework I0, so as to be upwardly and forwardly offset from the drive sprocket 30 with which it is to cooperate, is a relatively small carrier sprocket 33.

shaft 34 journaled in a supporting housing 35 which is attached to a side member of the framework IU. Arranged to runover and; between the drive sprocket 30 and the carrier sprocket 33 is a conveyer chain 35. The conveyer chain 36.

Said carrier sprocket is freely rotatable on a jack I is a rack rod delivery chute means 38, the discharge end of which inclines downwardly so as to terminate adjacent to the rearward sides of the drive sprockets 39 and the conveyer chains 36 running thereover, whereby to hold the lowermost rack rod R contained in the chute means 38 in the path of movement of approaching conveyer borne rod carrier hooks 31, so that said rack rod may be picked up by the latter so as to extend between the conveyer chains, and so as to be carried on thereby.

The means for driving the paste string rack rod loading and conveyer mechanism comprises a main drive shaft 39 which is journaled in bearings 40 supported by the lower part of the framework ill to extend transversely between the framework side members 29 below the path of movement of loaded rack rods. Said main drive shaft 39 is driven by an electric motor 4| through sprocket and chain or other suitable transmission mechanism 42. Fixed on said main drive shaft 39 are driving sprockets 43 for operating drive chains 44 which run over driven sprockets 45 fixed on the respective jack shafts 3 I. Said driving sprockets 43 and driven sprockets 45 are of such relative sizes as to furnish a reduction suitable to obtain a desired speed of movement of the rack rod loading mechanism. .Means are provided for automatically cutting away, at proper times, the rows of paste strings issued from the die means so as to detach the same from the die plate l3, suchmeans comprising an independent cutting mechanism for each row of paste strings issued from the die paste apertures l4, each said cutting mechanism being actuated by its own power driven operating mechanism, but in alternated timed relation one to the other, and in timed relation to the operation of the rack rod loading mechanism, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Said cutting mechanisms are supported beneath the die housing so that their cutter blades may cooperate with the exterior face of the apertured die plate |3. Suspended by hangers 46 below and transverse to each end of the die housing II are guide or track rods 47. One cutting mechanism, e. g. the forward cutting mechanism A, comprises longitudinally opposed slide blocks 48 respectively movable on the forward portions of the guide or track rods 41. Pivotally connected with each slide block 48 is an oscillatable bracket block 49. A forward cutter blade 59 is affixed by its ends to and between said bracket blocks 49 to extend longitudinally along the forward portion of the die plate l3. Said bracket blocks 49 are spring urged to uptilted positions whereby to engage the cutting edge of the cutter blade 50 with the under face of the die plate l3. Pivotally supported by fulcruming means mounted on an adjacent side member 29 at each side of the framework are cutter blade operating levers 52, which are pivotally connected at their upper ends with the respective slide blocks 48. The other cutting mechanism, e. g. the rearward cutting mechanism B, similarly comprises longitudinally opposed slide blocks 48' respectively movable on the rearward portions of the guide or track rods 41. Pivotally connected with each slide block 48' is an oscillatable bracket block 49'. A rearward cutter blade 50' is affixed by its ends to and between said bracket blocks 49' to extend longitudinally along the rearward portion of the die plate l3. Said .bracket blocks 49 are spring urged to uptilted positions whereby to engage the cutting edge of the cutter blade 50' with the under face of the die plate l3. Pivotally supported by fulcruming means 5| and 5| mounted on an adjacent side member 29 at each side of the framework are cutter blade operating levers 52 and 52', which are pivotally connected at their upper ends'with the respective slide blocks 48 and 48.

A compression spring 53 is mounted on each guide or track rod 41 between the slide blocks 48 and 48, whereby to yieldably retract said slide blocks, cutter blades and operating levers to normal initial positions after actuation of the cutter blades to effect cutting strokes thereof.

The means for actuating the forward cutting mechanism A comprises jack shafts 54 respectively journaled in bearings supported by the respective side members 29 of the framework. Fixed on each jack shaft 54, for cooperation with the lower end portion of an adjacent cutter blade operating lever 52, is an actuating cam 55. Each cam 55 is provided with a crank pin 56 set eccentric to the axis of rotation of the cam. Each oscillatable bracket block 49 is provided with a projection arm 5! to which is pivotally connected a link 58. The lower ends of the links 58 are provided with slots 59 in which the crank pins 56 engage. The means for operating the jack shafts 54 and their cams 55 comprises a driven shaft 60 which is journaled in and between the side members 29 at the back of the framework. Said jack shafts 54 are each driven from the shaft 69 by sprocket and chain or other suitable transmission means 6|. Said shaft 69 is independently driven by an electric motor 62 through sprocket and chain or other suitable transmission means 63.

The means for actuating the rearward cutting mechanism B similarly comprises jack shafts 54 respectively journaled in bearings supported by the respective side members 29 of the framework. Fixed on each jack shaft 54, for cooperation with the lower end portion of an adjacent cutter blade operating lever 52', is. an actuating cam 55. Each cam 55 is provided with a crank pin 56 set eccentric to the axis of rotation of the cam. Each oscillatable bracket block 49 is provided witha projecting arm 51' to which is pivotally connected a link 58. The lower ends of the links 58' are provided with slots 59' in which the crank pins 56' engage. The means for actuating the jack shafts 54' and their earns 55' comprises a driven shaft 64 which is journaled in and between the side members 29 at the back of the framework and spaced from and parallel to the driven shaft 60. Said jack shafts 54 are each driven from the shaft 64 by sprocket and chain or other suitable transmission means 65. Said shaft 64 is independently driven by-an electric motor 66 through sprocket and chain or other suitable transmission means 61.

Each of the cutting mechanisms A and B, when actuated, operate alike, so that description of the operation of one, as e. g. the cutting mechanism 'B, will apply equally to the other. In operation therefore the cutting mechanism B functions as follows:

When the cams 55' occupy normal initial positions, the bracket blocks 49 occupy uptilted but retracted positions, whereby the cutter blade 59 is operatively positioned preparatory to a cutting stroke. The uptilted bracket blocks 49 draw upward the links 58, so that the slots 59' of the latter are positioned to embrace by their lower ends the cooperating crank pins 56. When the motor 66 is started, its power is transmitted to the cams 55', so that. the same are rotated to engage the blade operating levers 52 so as to rock the same in direction to advance the cutter blade 50' along the underface of the die plate l3, and across the adjacent rows of apertures I4, whereby to sever the paste strings that have issued from the latter (see Fig. During the cutting stroke of the cutter blade 50, the crank pins '56 will ride upwardly and then. downwardly in the slots 59' of the links 58, and consequently will impart no movement to said. links. After the cutter blade 50 completes its cutting stroke, the rotating. cams 55' will start to withdraw from the operating levers 52, thus permitting the springs 53 to thrust back the slide blocks 48 and thus impart retractive movement to the cutter blade 50. At this time, the crank pins 56 will have descended the slots 59 so as to abut the lower ends thereof, whereupon the continuing rotation of. the cams 55 and accompanying downward movement of the crank pins 56 will draw down the links 58' with down swinging effect upon the bracket blocks 49, whereby to down swing and hold down swung the cutter blade 50 away from the underface of the die plate I3 (see Fig. 6), while said blade moves back to and until it resumes normal initial retracted position, and thus completes the cycle of operation of said cutting mechanism B.

The rack rod loading mechanism is intermittently operated in timed relation to emission of paste strings from the die. means. The dough or paste is continuously emitted from the rows of die plate apertures I4. In the operation of the rack rod loading mechanism, the paste string loading conveyor 36 is brought to rest in position behind the forming forward row of paste strings, which due to the timed alternated operation of the cutting mechanisms A and B is completed in advance of the completion of the rearward row of paste strings. At the proper time, the looping conveyor 36 is started, whereby the rack rod R positioned thereby will be moved forward against said forward row of paste strings. The rack rod R contacts the paste strings at approximate mid points of the lengths thereof, and as the rod, is moved outwardly and upwardly, the strings will be looped thereon. After the rod has been advanced and raised to a predetermined point, the cutting mechanism, operative upon the forward row of paste strings, will be actuated, so as to cut away the latter from the die plate, thus permitting the trailing end portions to drop, thus completing the looping of the strings over the rod so as to load the same thereon. The continuing advance of the conveyer 36 thereupon carries the loaded rod to the discharge and transfer conveyer means hereinafter described, by means of which the loaded rod is delivered to and for movement through drier apparatus. In the meantime, emission of the rearward row of paste strings to proper length is completed, and a second rack rod R, which has been picked up by the. conveyer 36, is engaged with said rearward row of paste strings and advanced therewith so as to loop said strings thereover, whereupon at the proper time, the cutting mechanism operative upon said. second row. of paste strings will be actuated, so as. to cut away the trailing end portions thereof from the die plate. The conveyer 36 is continuedin operation to. bring a succeeding rack rod R into; position, whereupon the conveyer is stopped until emission of a succeeding. forward row of paste strings. is completed, whereafter repetition of the above described cycle of rack rod: loading. operations. Occurs.

The'above described rack rod loading and related paste string cut off operations are coordinately timed and controlled by electro-mechanical control means, the character of whichv is schematically illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings, and which comprises, in connection with associated agencies, a timer I00, a starting or control box IN, a starting or control box I02, and a starting or control box I03. Said starting or control boxes are connected in a power circuit 56 05. The motor 4i which drives the rack rod loading mechanism is started, at predetermined time intervals, by the timer I00 acting through the starting or control box IOI, there by rotating the drive sprockets 30 of the conveyor 36. As said sprockets 30 revolve, a trip pin I 06, mounted on one thereof, is moved thereby to engage and close a switch I07 at the proper time, whereby to energize the motor 52 through,

the starting or control box I02, thus initiating operation of the paste string cutting mechanism A, whereby its cutter blade is caused to effect a cutting stroke cycle. Upon completion of the cutting stroke cycle of cutting mechanism A, a trip in 508, which revolves with the cam 55,, engages and momentarily opens a switch I09, which operates, through said starting or control box I02, to stop the motor 62. sprocket continues to revolve, and as the cycle of operation of cutting mechanism A is completed, said trip pin I06 is advanced to engage and close a switch I I0 at the proper time, whereby to energize the motor 66 through the starting or control box E03, thus initiating operation of the paste string cutting mechanism B, whereby its cutter blade 50 is caused to effect. a cutting stroke cycle. Upon completion of such cutting stroke cycle, a trip pin Iii, which revolves with.

the cam engages and momentarily opens a switch IIZ, which operates, through the starting or control box I03, to stop the motor 66. As the conveyer sprocket 30 completes its revolution, another trip pin II3 carried thereby engages and momentarily opens a switch H4, which operates, through the starting or control. box. IOI, to stop the motor 4| which drives the rack load,- ing mechanism, thus completing a cycle of oper-- ation of the latter. The timer I00 functions thereafter to repeat said cycles of operation of. the rack rod loading mechanism at predetermined intervals, according to the adjusted setting of said timer device.

Extending from the discharge end of said rack.

rod loading conveyer 36 is an outgoing discharge conveyer means 68, preferably of the sprocket and chain type, upon which the loaded rack rods R are deposited by the conveyer 36. Said discharge conveyer means is driven by the jack. shafts 34, and said jack shafts are in turn driven by chain and. sprocket or other suitable transmission means from the jack shafts 3| whichv drive the sprockets 30 of the conveyer 36. Said transmission means 59 is so designed that the linear speed of said discharge conveyer means 68- somewhat exceeds that of the loading conveyer 35. Said discharge conveyer means leads to a transfer conveyer means 10 by which the loaded rack rods R are automatically carried from said discharge conveyer means 68, to drier apparatus 1!, to be automatically moved through the latter and finally discharged therefrom, ready for packaging of the product for distribution; all whereby the operations from mixing of: the dough or paste. in the mixer I5 to discharge. of the finished product-at the outlet of the drier As this conveyer- 9 apparatus is entirely automatic, without necessity for intermediate handling of the material at any point.

The apparatus, as above described, is primarily adapted to automatically and continuously produce long paste products; means may be included, however, for optionally producing short paste products as well. To the latter end, a short paste extrusion head die means 80 may be interposed between the discharge head of the mixer apparatus and the paste delivery and spreading means leading to the long paste extrusion die housing H (see Fig. 1). In such case, a rotary cutting means 8| is provided for cooperation with the short paste extrusion fdie means 80, the same being driven by suitable transmission means 82 operated from the same power by which the mixer apparatus is operated. To permit selective use of said short and long paste producing means, means (not shown) for optionally plugging either the one or the other against flow of dough or paste thereto from the mixer apparatus may be provided.

Various changes can be made in the above described apparatus for automatically and continuously producing alimentary paste products without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. It is therefore intended that all matter described in the foregoing specification and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a paste production apparatus having die means adapted to emit paste strings in a linear row ready to be operated upon by a rack rod loading mechanism, a paste string cut off mechanism cooperative with the die means adapted to cut trailing ends of rod loadable strings away from said die means, said out off mechanism comprising guide means, blade supporting means slidable on said guide means, acutter blade carried by said supporting means, means to reciprocate said supporting means on said guide means including pivoted actuating lever means operative to advance the cutter blade in cutting stroke contact with said die means, said advancing means including a pivoted actuating lever means, driven cam means for operating said lever means, compression spring means on the guide rods for retracting the blade end supporting means thereon, means for moving said blade out of contact with said die means as it recovers from said cutting stroke, and means for alternately operating said out off mechanism.

3. In a continuous paste production apparatus having die means adapted to continuously emit paste strings in two linearly extending laterally spaced rows ready to be operated upon by rack rod loading mechanism, a paste string cut off mechanism for each row of paste strings adapted to cut trailing ends of rod loadable strings thereof away from said die means, guide means for said out ofi mechanisms, each cut off mechanism comprising spring retracted blade supporting means slidable on said guide means, a cutter blade carried by said supporting means, means to advance said supporting means on said guide means to move said cutter blade in cutting stroke contact with said die means, said advancing means including pivoted actuating lever means, driven cam means for operating said lever means, means for moving said blade out of contact with said die means as it recovers from said cutting stroke, said latter means comprising oscillatable brackets pivotally connecting the cutter blade with said supporting means, actuating link means connected with said brackets, and crank means carried by said cam means with which said link means has lost motion connection; and means for alternately operating said out off mechanisms.

4. In a continuous paste production apparatus having die means to continuously emit paste strings in two linearly extending laterally spaced rows ready to be operated upon by rack rod loading mechanism, a separate paste string cut off mechanism for each row of paste strings adapted to cut trailing ends of rod loadable strings thereof away from said die means, transverse guide rods respectively adjacent each end of the die means, each cut off mechanism having stroke contact with said die means, driven cam means for actuating said lever means, and means for moving said blade out of contact with said die means as it recovers from said cutting stroke}, 7

said latter means comprising oscillatable brackets for pivotally connecting the cutter blade with said supporting means, actuating link means connected with said brackets, and crank means carried by said cam means with which said link means has lost motion connection.

2. In a continuous paste production apparatus having die means adapted to continuously emit paste strings in two linearly extending laterally spaced rows ready to be operated upon by rack rod loading mechanism, a paste string cut oil mechanism for each row of paste strings adapted to out trailing ends of rod loadable strings thereof away from said die means, transverse guide rods respectively adjacent each end of the die means, each cut off mechanism having blade end supporting means slidable on said guide rods, a cutter blade carried by and extending between the corresponding blades end supporting means, means to advance said blade end supporting means on said guide rods to move said cutter blades carried thereby in cutting blade end supporting means slidable on said guide rods, a cutter blade carried by and extending between corresponding blade end supporting means, means to advance said blade end supporting means on said guide rods to move the cutter blade carried thereby in cutting stroke contact with the die means, said advancing means including a pivoted actuating lever means,

driven cam means for operating the lever means, compression spring means on the guide rods for retracting the blade end supporting means thereon, and means for moving said blade out of contact with the die means while it recovers from its cutting stroke.

CONRAD AMBRE'ITE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 259,753 Fox June 20, 1882 1,627,297 Surico May 3, 1927 2,223,352 De Francisci Dec. 3, 1940 

